The Shootist

It was suggested to me by a friend that I use some of my blog efforts for reviewing movies. Since I have of lately been running a bit arid on ideas along my usual course of subjects, I've decided to give a shot to a movie review and see how I can handle it. My plans, if it works out well, are to periodically review movies of all types. Good ones, not so good ones, really bad ones...Mostly older movies. Some older than others, obviously. Usually, anywhere from the thirties to the nineties and everywhere in between. Eventually, there should be something everyone will appreciate. Today, I will start my endeavor with The Shootist from 1976.

MOVIE REVIEW OF THE SHOOTIST (1976) - PG

Cast
Director	Don Siegel	Runtime: 1hr.36min.(96 min.)
John Bernard Books	.....	John Wayne
Bond Rogers	.....	Lauren Bacall
Gillom Rogers	.....	Ron Howard
Dr. E.W. Hostetler	.....	James Stewart
Sweeny	.....	Richard Boone
Jack Pulford	.....	Hugh O' Brian
Jay Cobb	.....	Bill McKinney
Marshall Walter Thibido	.....	Harry Morgan
Beckum	.....	John Carradine
Serepta	.....	Sheree North
Dan Dobkins	.....	Richard Lenz
Moses	.....	Scatman Crothers
Barber	.....	Alfred Dennis

This is the last story of John Bernard Books(John Wayne), a legendary western man who went from lawman to outlaw. His fame comes from his skills with a gun and his liberal use of it, as is explained by a short montage of old Wayne movies depicting the actor in many shootouts. I say last story because we learn not too far into the movie that he is dying of cancer.

The story starts on January 22, 1901.He is visiting Carson City before he expires. We are led to believe that the reason he chooses this place is because he is seeking a second medical opinion of his condition from Doctor Hostetler (James Stewart). However, it is learned later that this visit may have more reason than appears on the surface. Throughout the movie, we meet several characters from Books' past who would be more than delighted at the demise of Books. The likewise demise of most of these characters would also bring a smile to Books' face. Books tries to keep his presence in the town...and most definitely his disease...a secret. That doesn't last very long as news of his staying at a nearby boarding house spreads quickly, no thanks to Dan Dobkins (Richard Lenz), a reporter for the local paper, the Morning Appeal. As he feared, the townspeople are not pleased. The other boarders at the house start to leave, and Books gets mixed looks from the other citizens. Nevertheless, he continues to make plans for his last day on this Earth. He sells his horse, Dollar, for $298, orders a custom headstone, and asks that his suit be cleaned by that new dry clean process. His explanation of his want for the cleaning of the suit is that January 29, the next Sunday, is his birthday, which is verified by the inscription on his headstone. He is not very welcomed by the owner of the boarding house (Lauren Bacall), but is idolized by her son Gillom (Ron Howard).

His talks with the doctor are not encouraging. After the doc's description of the advancement of the cancer to Books, he adds, I would not die a death like I just described. The best the doctor can do for him is give him a bottle of Laudanum, a tincture of alcohol and opium. But, the doctor says, after awhile, even that won't help anymore.

So he continues with his plans. Books tells Gillom to send a message to three acquaintances. Books wants a meeting at the local saloon, The Metropole, on Sunday morning. This provides the climax and ending to the story, which has its own last-minute shockers and twists. That's all the plot your going to get without seeing the movie.

From the technical perspective, this movie has some interesting points that may not be noticeable unless you are looking for them instead of watching the movie. I counted three times where the scene briefly switches to a hand held camera shot for only a couple of seconds. This adds a surprisingly realistic tone to the movie in just the right places. These shots almost seem out of place, but because of that, they are very obvious.

The time frame (1901), is exemplified well by interjections into the plot such as the above-mentioned new dry clean process and reference to a car as a horseless carriage.
Although there was no connection at the time, ironically, this turned out to be John Wayne's last movie.

Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:

• What I do on your grave won't pass for flowers.~Marshall Thibido
• [You're a] prying, pipsqueaking, ass.~Books-about Dan Dobkins
• I don't believe I ever killed a man that didn't deserve it.~Books
• I would not die a death like I just described.~Dr. Hostetler
• Don't dive in until you know how deep it is.

The movie ends on January 29, 1901

Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
¹⁰/₁₀

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